Study abroad student returns from Canterbury
By Abbey Lechner
IV Leader Staff, Sept. 11, 2003
Last semester, Ali Losey, a second year IVCC student from Streator, took the challenge of the study abroad program in Canterbury, England, where she resided from Jan. 7 until March 28. The trip wasn’t all fun and games for Losey.
She kept up her studies by attending Canterbury Christ Church University College located right in Canterbury. While attending Canterbury Christ Church University, Losey studied courses in World Religions, Children’s Literature, British History and Modern Britain.
Losey noted, “Classes were much more advanced than what I was used to.”
As far as class procedures went, Losey said classes met only once a week for lecture followed by an hour of seminar. She also described what homework and finals were like.
“Homework assignments were all writing papers!” explained Losey. “Finals are the same way — you don’t get a quiz, you have to write a paper!”
When Losey wasn’t hitting the books, she was comfortably settled in with a retired couple in their 80’s by the names of Roy and June Manuel.
“They were the sweetest people!” Losey said.
Also residing at the Manuel residence was Losey’s roommate Kate Mass from Elgin. Mass and Losey had separate bedrooms, which made for a more “homey” feel. Although Mrs. Manuel cleaned each room, changed the bedding for the girls and prepared a breakfast every morning, this was the only meal provided at the Manuel residence; both lunch and dinner had to be supplied by the girls themselves.
Losey’s roommate was not the only new friend that she had made while studying in England. Lifelong bonds were made between Losey and the English students. Losey thought back on her English friends and said, “I miss my English friends! They showed us things, took us places and made us feel that their homes were ours.”
Losey keeps in touch with her friends overseas through email. She plans to go back to England to visit as soon as she saves enough money.
Hanging out with the locals was not the only thing that Losey did while studying abroad. She also traveled quite a bit. From Venice and Florence, Italy, to Edinburgh, Scotland, to Dublin, Ireland, to London and Dover, England, Losey was offered many experiences through the program
“When I was in the program I realized that traveling had become one my favorite things to do,” Losey noted.
The traveling experiences seemed to stand out the most for Losey, but what really inspired her to leave the country for a semester and study abroad?
“I studied for one simple reason, to see if I could do it. I had never been away from home and had never planned to!” Losey said.
Her final statement concerning her trip was, “It was nice to see how others lived, what they thought of Americans, and to be away from Streator.”
Students who are at least 18 years old, have at least 15 credit hours through IVCC, have at least a 2.75 GPA, and have received at least a B average in ENG 1001 students can consider the study abroad program.
This year IV will be offering semesters in England, Austria and Costa Rica. Prices range anywhere from $2,000-$10,000 for a semester.
Those interested or who have questions regarding the program should contact Steve Alvin at steve_alvin@ivcc.edu, call him at 224-0423, or visit him in Room D-305.